How to Do Ab Laterals

Ab laterals need to be performed in a very particular way for the maximum amount of effectiveness. Learn how to do ab laterals with help from a personal trainer and Pilates instructor in this free video clip.

Transcript

Hi, I'm Emily Wenzel with body and mind enrichment. We're here at the Pilates Loft and we're going to go over some ab lateral exercises. So all you need is either a comfortable mat and some really expensive paper towels or you can use gliding discs or you can use paper plates. So go ahead and roll it down all the way. You can lengthen the legs all the way out. If you need to or you can bend and soften the knees if you feel any discomfort in your back. And you're just going to take one hand at a time so the upper hand is going to go back behind the ear but just safely so you're not jerking the neck or anything. Just to support the head and the neck. The left hand is going to go on the outside of the paper towel and take a breath in to prepare. Lift the head and the chest just slightly up and off and you're going to side bend over. OK. So take the time and really lengthen out as best as you can and watch those feetsies so nothing shifts or moves here. And then also take a look at the pelvis so you're not swinging it up. You'll know that from the feet also. Or hiking the hip up as well. And then you can also take a look see at the right elbow as you stay in the same position. And keep reaching through the left fingers. And we're going to do it on the other side. So inhale here, switch the arms and then on your exhale side bend. My right hip wants to lower down so I'm going to maintain this position as best as I can and keep the legs even also. And then reach, reach, reach through the right hand and then take a look see at the left elbow also. And then come back to the center. So take your time on your exhale. You're going to lengthen out, check the pelvis and the feet and really reach long. Take a look see at the opposite elbow. Keep reaching through the fingers and then come back to the center. And then again on your exhale keep breathing out long. Inhale if you need to and then exhale. Keep reaching maybe one more time and hold it. Look at the pelvis, watch the feet and then come back to the center and then lower it back down safely. Those are some ab lateral exercises. I'm Emily Wenzel with BodyandMindEnrichment.org.